ARCO has created a work hard, play hard mentality. With the fast-paced, challenging nature of their business, it’s important to celebrate the completion of projects with associates and customers. In the eyes of their clients, they aren’t just a vendor. They are a partner committed to their success. They build the facilities that keep America going. Being able to play a key role in providing significant, measurable value to the partners and communities that they do business in is so rewarding. ARCO Design/Build is the leading design-build company in the United States. With national reach and local expertise, they’ve simplified industrial construction. With just one design-build construction team, you have one budget, one contract, a single source of accountability and one cohesive project — from design concept to completion of construction.  This design-build approach is what sets them apart from the competition. They offer coordinated building design and construction services, including design-build construction contractor services, architectural design, structural engineering, and concrete services. In these capacities, they deliver the strength, resources and construction expertise of an award-winning national design-build construction company, combined with the responsive personalized customer service you’d expect from your local construction firm. In truth, they are a customer service company that just happens to design and construct buildings. Their philosophy from inception has been that “they win when their clients win,” which contributes to why they are ranked by ENR as the #1 distribution and warehouse builder in the country, the #3 design-build firms in the country, and the #11 contracting firm in the country.  Their company was founded on the idea of being dedicated to making the construction process enjoyable for their customers and associates. In 1995, ARCO Design/Build was established out of Atlanta, Georgia. They now have over 38 offices nationwide, including their Memphis office which opened in 2020 and is led by Vice President Joel Olson. They are involved in several chamber organizations in the greater Memphis MSA along with several real estate and economic development organizations.  With the success that their Memphis office has already seen, though, they are relocating to a larger office space to accommodate the needs of an expanding team. This move presents exciting new opportunities to continue to grow with our clients in the years to come and they look forward to adding as much value as they can to the Greater Jackson Chamber and celebrating the wins of the community. For more information, contact Drew O’Brien, Director of Business Development, at (901) 596-8160.   The LyondellBasell Jackson Plant is Celebrating 35 Years of Operations in Jackson in 2023! Did you know? The LyondellBasell Jackson PP Compound Plant covers approximately 13 acres, contains a 127,000 square foot building, a rail spur, container yard, and employs 106 employees and contractors. Did you know? The site was originally developed as a light manufacturing operation in the 1970's and was converted into a polypropylene compounding operation in 1988. The site originally consisted of three compounding lines. Additional operation expansions occurred during the next 27 years resulting in a total of six compounding lines. Did you know? The Jackson plant combines polypropylene resin with other materials to enhance the physical properties and prepare them for specific customer applications, such as parts for interior and exterior automotive applications and home appliances. Did you know? The annual payroll and benefits is more than $5.4 million and that the site purchases more than $2.8 million in goods and services annually. In addition, the LyondellBasell Jackson Plant pays about $163,000 annually in real estate taxes. Congratulations to Mack Pest Control for being recognized as the Greater Jackson Chamber's September Small Business of the Month!   Founded in the 1940s by Cecil "Mack" McKelvey in Nashville, the business was born from a deep desire to serve the community. Mack's vision extended beyond pest control; it was about creating a lasting impact on the lives of the people he served. Operating initially from Nashville, Mack Pest Control sent a truck into West Tennessee for a week at a time, bridging the gap in pest control services in the area. As the business grew, the first local operator set base in Humboldt, and the legacy continued with the second generation, Lloyd McKelvey, opening a branch in Jackson in the late 1970s. The same dedication, work ethic, and compassion that Mack instilled in the business were passed down, shaping Mack Pest Control into what it is today—a trusted name in pest control deeply rooted in the community.   What sets Mack Pest Control apart is not just their expertise in pest control but their unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. "Our best product is our people and the customer service that we seek to provide," says the team at Mack Pest Control. This commitment to service is more than a business strategy; it's a culture of serving, operating with integrity, and friendliness. Every interaction and every service call is an opportunity to deliver exceptional customer service, and the team embraces the culture wholeheartedly.  Community engagement is at the core of Mack Pest Control's identity. The McKelvey family and their staff are actively involved in various community initiatives. They participate in volunteer opportunities through the Greater Jackson Chamber, serve on local boards and projects, and actively contribute to the community as Rotarians in the Jackson Rotary Club. The staff, encouraged to engage in community events, can be found around their churches, cheering at ball fields, and actively participating in local leadership programs.  With nearly eight decades of experience and spanning four generations, Mack Pest Control has weathered numerous challenges, evolving with the times while retaining its core values. They have remained a small business where each client's needs are unique and flexible in the organizational structure to meet those needs. This personalized approach, coupled with their extensive experience, sets them apart. Mack Pest Control boasts a rare asset—a cumulative experience of over 100 years of pest control leadership in one office. Their expertise, gained from seeing it all, enables them to effectively address any pest control need.   As Mack Pest Control continues to serve the community with passion and dedication, they invite residents to experience the Mack difference—a blend of expertise, exceptional service, and community commitment that has defined their legacy for nearly 80 years. For all pest control needs, Mack Pest Control stands ready, ensuring homes and businesses remain pest-free, backed by a tradition of service that is as strong today as it was in the beginning.   For more information about Mack Pest Control, visit https://mackpestcontrol.com/    Nominations for Small Business of the Month are accepted year-round. To nominate a Greater Jackson Chamber member or self-nominate as the Small Business of the Month, click here.    Public Notice is hereby given that the Community Economic Development Commission meeting will be held at 4:00 pm, Thursday, October 26, 2023.   The meeting will be held via Zoom meeting. The agenda includes:  Office Space Discussion Public comment is offered to matters that are germaine to the items on the agenda for the meeting.  An individual may register prior by contacting the commission at 731-425-8333, or by registering prior on the sign-up sheet at the location of said meeting. Please confirm your availability by calling 731-425-8333.   Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83524930398?pwd=Rnp0QysrUVVYL0V1RU56N05XWERVdz09 Meeting ID: 835 2493 0398 Passcode: 577072 The Jackson State Community College Library opened its historical archives to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 4 for the first time since the college’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2017. As part of the showcase, the JSCC Library is inviting alumni, former administrators, and friends of the college to provide historical feedback for documents, photos, and other media dating back to the college’s opening. “We wanted to create a truly immersive experience for the public to enjoy,” said Instruction Librarian, Ruth Slagle. “Jackson State has been a pillar of the community for over five decades, with many of our graduates continuing to work and live in West Tennessee. We wanted a way to invite them out, experience the rich history the college has to offer, and maybe even help point out some of the unknowns within our own collection.” Featured memorabilia will include architectural history, original scrapbooks, yearbooks, the JSCC Pageant photographs and memorabilia, The Pioneer and the Jackson Stateman, clubs and athletics posters, and so much more. The collection will be displayed for community viewing from Oct. 16 – Nov. 3. The JSCC Library is on the Jackson Campus at 2046 North Parkway in Jackson.

So many fun fall festivals & activities are happening around West Tennessee! Click on the event name for more details about each event.

West TN Fall Festival List:

Saturday, October 14 Fall Fest Extravaganza 4 pm-7 pm Victory Worship Center Jackson, TN Saturday, October 21 South Elementary Fall Fest 2023 11 am-3 pm Pinson, TN Fall Family Fun Night 6 pm-8 pm Northside Assembly Jackson, TN Sunday, October 22 Fall Festival! 3 pm-5 pm Grace Baptist Church Pinson, TN   Tuesday, October 24 Trunk or Treat 2023 6 pm-8 pm Central West TN Association of Realtors Jackson, TN Friday, October 27 Trunk or Treat 4 pm-7 pm Century 21 Action Realty Jackson, TN Halloween Spooktacular 5 pm-8pm Bumpus Harley-Davidson of Jackson Jackson, TN 2nd Annual Treat Trail 5 pm-7 pm Sheltering Tree Ranch Savannah, TN Saturday, October 28 Trunk or Treat by Urban Defense Gun Club 12 pm-2 pm Conger Park Jackson, TN Fall Fest 2023 1 pm A New Beginning Church Henderson, TN Halloween Trick or Treat 2 pm-4 pm Coldwell Banker Barnes Jackson TN Jackson, TN Fall Fest 2023 4:30 pm-6:30 pm Campbell Street Church of Christ Jackson, TN 3Rd Annual Trunk or Treat 5 pm until Candy is Gone! South Jackson Martial Arts Jackson, TN Halloween at the Market - A Trunk or Treat Event 5pm-8pm West TN Farmers Market Jackson, TN Fall Festival 5 pm-9 pm Beech Bluff Recreation Center Beech Bluff, TN Trunk or Treat 5 pm-7:30 pm Harvest Church Humboldt, TN Scare on the Square 5:30pm-7:30 pm Historic Covington Downtown Covington, TN   Sunday, October 29 FBC Bemis Trunk or Treat 2 pm-4 pm FBC Bemis Jackson, TN Trunk or Treat 6 pm First United Methodist Church Milan, TN Monday, October 30 2nd Annual Halloween Bash 6 pm-8 pm Prime Auto- USA Jackson Jackson, TN   Tuesday, October 31 Treat Street Experience 6 pm-Until Candy is Gone! Sanford Hill Baptist Church Henderson, TN Want your fall festival listed? Please e-mail event details to scummings@jacksontn.com.    

Haunted Houses & Trails

Venture if you dare - It's spooky season and West Tennessee's haunted houses are ready to give you a scare!  Here are the haunted houses and trails in West Tennessee! Click the link for more information and to purchase tickets. The 13th Realm Atwood, TN Through November 5th Fridays & Saturdays 6:30 PM-11 PM Sundays 6:30 PM-9:30 PM Black Wolf Acres Zombie Daze (Paintball) Holladay, TN Friday & Saturday Nights Sept 30-Oct 28: 6:30 PM-10 PM Camp Blood & Zombie Trail Paintball Humboldt, TN October 6, 13, 20, 27: 7 PM-10 PM October 7, 14, 21, 28: 7 PM-11 PM October 8, 15, 22, 29: 7 PM-9 PM Thursday Oct 26: 7 PM-9 PM Spooky Glow Gellyball Trail Battlezone Park Jackson, TN Oct 20 6 PM-11 PM Toxic Zombie Trail Maze Battlezone Park Jackson, TN October 14th, 21st, 27th, 28th: 7 PM-11 PM Hillside Terror Henderson, TN Friday & Saturdays October 6-28th: 7:15 PM-11 PM *Cash Only* The Fear Factory Union City, TN Fridays and Saturdays October 13-October 28: 7 PM-11 PM October 30-31: 7 PM-11 PM *Cash Only* Derailed Haunted House Ramer, TN Fridays & Saturdays: 7 PM-11 PM Halloween: 7 PM-11 PM House of Fright Bolivar, TN October 13 & 14: 7 PM-11 PM October 20 & 21: 7 PM-11 PM October 27 & 28: 7 PM-11 PM Halloween: 7 PM-11 PM Deanburg Haunted Hollow Henderson, TN October 13 & 14: 7 PM-Midnight October 20 & 21: 7 PM-Midnight October 27 & 28: 7 PM-Midnight The Natchez Nightmare Lexington, TN October 13 & 14: 7:30 PM-Midnight October 20 & 21: 7:30 PM-Midnight October 27 & 28: 7:30 PM-Midnight October 29: 7:30 PM-Midnight Halloween: 7:30 PM-Midnight Is your favorite not listed? Email scummings@jacksontn.com to add your favorite to the list!   Public Notice is hereby given that the Community Economic Development Commission meeting will be held at 4:00 pm, Tuesday, October 17, 2023.   The meeting will be held at 197 Auditorium, Downtown Jackson, TN.   Public comment is offered to matters that are germaine to the items on the agenda for the meeting.  An individual may register prior by contacting the commission at 731-425-8333, or by registering prior on the sign-up sheet at the location of said meeting.   Please confirm your availability by replying to this email or by calling 731-425-8333. Over 120 students from Jackson-Madison County Schools participated in Manufacturing Day, coordinated in partnership with the Greater Jackson Chamber, Jackson State Community College (JSCC) and the Jackson-Madison County School System on October 5-6. Area manufacturers held tours and informational sessions to educate students about the skills needed for today’s jobs. Industries participating in the event include Berry Global, BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc., Delta Faucet Company, Jackson Energy Authority, Kellanova, Pace Industries, Pacific Manufacturing Tennessee, Stanley Black & Decker, TBDN Tennessee Company, Toyota Boshoku Tennessee, LLC., Toyota Motor Manufacturing TN and Young Touchstone. “The goal for this program is to promote modern manufacturing and expose students to great career options,” said Vicki Bunch, Chief Workforce Development Officer for the Greater Jackson Chamber. “Manufacturing Day is an eye-opening opportunity to bring modern manufacturing to life for our high school students. The Chamber is honored to be a partner in Manufacturing Day while assisting our local manufacturers with the opportunity to open their facilities and expose students to the many diverse, in-demand, rewarding careers in modern manufacturing.” Manufacturing Day began nationwide in 2012 to give manufacturers a chance to open their doors and showcase what manufacturing is to high school students, teachers, counselors and parents. It is a great way to open minds to a new career opportunity for a sound future with over 3.5 million manufacturing jobs being generated in the next decade.

In January 2022, artists from across the region submitted proposals with his or her vision to commemorate Jackson and Madison County's 200-year anniversary. After a competitive interview process, artists Lendon Noe and Caleb O’Connor were chosen to complete paintings that represent the history of Jackson and Madison County. The artists used the Bicentennial Milestones book as a resource to inspire the murals. Noe is a Jackson native where she retired as a professor of art at Lambuth University after 28 years.

“The themes she started identifying, you know, celebrating our agriculture roots, our transportation, our railroad history, our religion. Those all brought together what our community is all about and she’s doing it visually,” said Elaine Christian, the Chair of the Jackson-Madison County Bicentennial Commission.

Noe has completed 37 canvasses and mixed media exhibits that will be permanently displayed on the second floor of Jackson City Hall. Her gallery features items that emphasize the themes explored throughout the Bicentennial year-long celebration including - healthcare, transportation, education, arts, entertainment, religion, medicine and more.

"For the last 16 months I've been privileged to work on a 'Visualization of 200 years of Jackson-Madison County History,'" says Noe. "My personal focus has been to highlight what it has been like for an ordinary individual making their home here."

"In This Moment," the title of the collection, was inspired by a poem written by Debra Tayloe. The poetry of Tayloe and James Cherry helped to give a voice and provided depth to the visual images in the artwork.

"My parents came to Jackson in 1947 and built a small ranch-style house, which still stands at 513 Arlington Ave. After World War II, my father, who was originally from West Montoe, LA, drove around the south looking for the right place to start a business and raise a family. Marrying my mother and deciding on Jackson were the two best decisions that he ever made."

Noe hopes that people will get more interested in Jackson's history and learn more about it and look more into it with the realization that it really is all about community.

The "In This Moment" gallery is permanently displayed on the 2nd floor of Jackson City Hall.

To view the "In This Moment" catalog, click here.